Recognizing Extraordinary Acts of Service
The MSgt John A. Chapman
'Service Before Self' Award
2025 MSgt John A. Chapman Service Before Self Award Recipient
The Roland Family
Capt Matthew D. Roland's Gold Star Family
Recognizing Service Before Self
The Combat Control Foundation is honored to announce the 2025 recipient of the Master Sergeant John A. Chapman 'Service Before Self' Award — the Roland Family.
Captain Matthew D. Roland, a 2010 U.S. Air Force Academy graduate and Special Tactics Officer, was killed in action alongside Staff Sergeant Forrest B. Sibley on August 26, 2015, in Afghanistan while selflessly protecting their team from an ambush. His heroism earned him the Silver Star, and his courage continues to inspire.
Read Capt Matthew Roland's Silver Star citation here.
Through the Matt Roland Foundation, his parents, Mark and Barbara Roland and his sister Erica Roland, have carried forward his legacy—supporting scholarships that build servant leadership and develop future leaders.
Learn more about the Matthew Roland Foundation here: https://www.matthewrolandfoundation.org/
THE LEGACY OF CAPT MATTHEW D. ROLAND
Captain Matthew D. Roland, a 2010 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, served with distinction as a Special Tactics Officer in the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron, 720th Special Tactics Group, 24th Special Operations Wing.
A natural leader and respected teammate, he deployed twice to Afghanistan and once to Africa, also serving as a Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC).
On August 26, 2015, just two weeks before completing a six-month deployment, Captain Roland was killed in action while selflessly protecting his team from an ambush at an Afghan checkpoint.
His decisive actions alerting his team and attempting to maneuver their vehicle out of the kill zone saved lives—exemplifying the highest ideals of courage, sacrifice, and leadership.
He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star Medal for his heroism.
Capt Matthew D. Roland's Silver Star Citation:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Army Award) (Posthumously) to Captain Matthew D. Roland, United States Air Force, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Special Tactics Officer, NATO Special Operations Component Command - Afghanistan/Special Operations Joint Task Force - Afghanistan, Operation FREEDOM'S SENTINEL, in support of Resolute Support Mission.
On 26 August 2015, Captain Roland (23d Special Tactics Squadron), gave the last full measure to save the lives of his teammates at Camp Antonik, Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
Captain Roland was driving the lead vehicle of a Special Forces Convoy transiting through Afghan checkpoints en route to their camp from Bastion Airfield. When the Convoy reached the final checkpoint, one guard approached the left side of Captain Roland's vehicle while a second guard maneuvered toward a fortified position containing a belt-fed machine gun. As the first guard came within five feet of the bus, he began to raise his weapon.
Without hesitation and with no regard to his own safety, Captain Roland yelled "Insider Attack, Insider Attack!" while keying his radio to alert all convoy members.
Simultaneously, Captain Roland reversed his vehicle away from the gunman to protect his vehicle occupants. The gunman's first rifle burst tore through the front of the vehicle, killing Captain Roland instantly, but his warning to the other personnel in his convoy afforded them precious time to react.
His passengers were able to take cover and draw their weapons. Neutralizing both gunmen and limiting the number of friendly casualties, Captain Roland's actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military heroism and reflect distinct credit upon himself, the NATO Special Operations Component Command - Afghanistan/Special Operations Joint Task Force - Afghanistan, and the United States Air Force.
CONTINUING HIS MISSION
In the years since Matt’s passing, his parents, Mark and Barbara Roland, have devoted themselves to carrying forward his legacy through The Matthew Roland Foundation.
Through their vision and dedication, the foundation has raised more than $20,000 and awarded 18 scholarships supporting academic achievement, athletic competition, and leadership development.
Their mission—to honor Matt’s life by fostering servant leadership and empowering future leaders—reflects the same values that defined his service and character.
Notably, Mark Roland is also a graduate of the Air Force ROTC program, deepening the family’s bond with the U.S. Air Force and its enduring commitment to developing leaders of character who live by its core values: Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do.
ABOUT THE AWARD
The Combat Control Foundation's MSgt John A. Chapman 'Service Before Self' Award honors the legacy of Medal of Honor recipient Master Sergeant John A. Chapman, a U.S. Air Force Combat Controller who gave his life heroically defending his teammates during the Battle of Takur Ghar in Afghanistan on March 4, 2002.
Recipients of this award reflect the same selfless courage and unwavering devotion to others that defined Chapman’s life and service.
Like Chapman, Captain Roland placed his team above himself in the face of grave danger, and his family’s ongoing commitment to honoring his legacy continues to inspire generations of Airmen and leaders.
Click below to learn more about MSgt John A. Chapman
Past recipients of the Combat Control Foundation’s MSgt John A. Chapman Service Before Self Award
2024 recipient - Colonel Allison Black, USAF (Ret.)
A retired USAF Colonel she was a pioneering Air Force Special Operations airman best known as the first female AC-130 navigator to open fire in combat in the initial hours of Operation Enduring Freedom. Earning the nickname, the Angel of Death. She was the 2024 (eighth) recipient of the Combat Control Foundation’s Master Sergeant John A Chapman Service Before Self Award. Read previous Service Before Self coverage here.
2023 recipient - Command Chief Master Sergeant William C. Markham, USAF (Ret.)
A retired AFSOC USAF Combat Controller who is Chairman, Co-Founder of Project OVAT. He was the first Air Force Combat Controller in Afghanistan and received the Silver Star Medal for valor in combat. He was the 2023 (seventh) recipient of the Combat Control Foundation’s Master Sergeant John A Chapman Service Before Self Award. Read previous Service Before Self coverage here. Read about his Combat Control Act of Valor here.
2022 recipient - Brigadier General Dale E. Stovall, USAF (Ret.)
USAFA Class of 1967, awarded the Air Force Cross and Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster for valor as an air rescue helicopter pilot during operations in Vietnam. Honored with the U.S. Air Force Academy Alumni Association's Jabara Award for Airmanship in 1973. Recognized as the sixth recipient of the Combat Control Foundation's Master Sergeant John A. Chapman Service Before Self Award in 2022. Read previous coverage here.
2021 recipient - Sergeant First Class Rick Caldwell, U.S. Army
A former AFSOC USAF Pararescue Airman (PJ) who is now serving as a U.S. Army Special Forces Medical Sergeant. For his actions serving in Afghanistan with an Army Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA), he received the Silver Star. He is the 2021 (fifth) recipient of the Combat Control Foundation’s Master Sergeant John A Chapman Service Before Self Award.
2020 recipient - Colonel Thaddeus Allen, USAF (Ret.)
Class of 1992 graduate of the USAFA and a former Vice Director of Athletics at the Academy. The Colonel served as a Special Tactics Officer and had command of the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron. He is the 2020 (fourth) recipient of the Combat Control Foundation’s Master Sergeant John A Chapman Service Before Self Award.
2019 recipient - Senior Master Sergeant Michael Perolio, USAF
Recipient of both the Silver Star and Bronze Star with Valor for actions taken in Afghanistan as a Combat Controller. He is the 2019 (third) recipient of the Combat Control Foundation’s Master Sergeant John A Chapman Service Before Self Award. Read about his Combat Control Act of Valor here.
2018 recipient - Chief Master Sergeant Robert Gutierrez, USAF
Current AFSOC Combat Control Pipeline Manager, recipient of the Air Force Cross for actions taken while a Combat Controller in Afghanistan. He is the 2018 (second) recipient of the Combat Control Foundation’s Master Sergeant John A Chapman Service Before Self Award. Read about his Combat Control Act of Valor here.
2017 recipient - Lieutenant Colonel Barry Crawford, USAF
USAF Class of 2003 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy; he is the recipient of the Air Force Cross for actions taken while a Special Tactics Officer in Afghanistan. He has the unique distinction of transitioning from his career as a STO, to becoming an A-10 pilot. He is the first recipient (2017) of the Combat Control Foundation’s Master Sergeant John A Chapman Service Before Self Award. Read about his Combat Control Act of Valor here.